Jakobi Meyers played 68 of 69 snaps, and had 3 catches for 38 yards (on 3 total targets). Did he notice the Texans did anything to take him away?"Definitely. They had play calls where the safety would dive on me," he said late Monday afternoon. "That's how we ended up making the play on Damiere's touchdown."
Not a bad first half for the Bucs, who trail the Rams 17-14 at the half (they got off to a much faster start than they have in their other prime-time games, and that was a point of emphasis this week) but defensively they've missed tackles and given up YAC, they haven't been able to stop Cooper Kupp, and once again, Jamal Dean is getting picked on.
Citing the current case counts of COVID-19 in Washington state, the Seahawks announced they'll continue playing without fans at Lumen Field for their next two home games: Dec. 6 vs. the Giants and Dec. 13 vs. the Jets. The announcement said no decision has been made for their final regular-season home game or any playoff games the Seahawks host.
Rams inactives vs. the Bucs: RB Raymond Calais, OL Brian Allen, WR Trishton Jackson, TE Brycen Hopkins.
Bucs' inactives tonight against the Rams: QB Ryan Griffin, RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn, G Ali Marpet, TE Tanner Hudson, DL Khalil Davis. Elevated for tonight's game: RB Kenjon Barner.
Jets injury update: Rookie RB La'Mical Perine is likely heading to IR with a high-ankle sprain. Get ready for a whole lot of Frank Gore. RT George Fant is week-to-week with ankle and knee sprains. Chuma Edoga, who would replace him, has a low-ankle sprain, but there's a chance he could play.
Sam Darnold shoulder update: The plan is for him to practice Wednesday. A decision on his availability for Sunday will be made as the week progresses. Darnold said throwing isn't a problem; the unknown is how it will respond to a hit. He said he's "nearing that point where I finally have a little bit more confidence in my shoulder to withstand a hit." Darnold said the worst-case scenario would be a 2/3-week setback if it's re-injured.
First chance for ticketed fans at Lambeau would be the Carolina game on Dec. 19 or 20, but Packers president Mark Murphy said about 500 employees and their families will attend Sunday night's game at Lambeau Field and possibly the following week vs. the Eagles and will be seated with members of their family only. Bellin Health president Chris Woleske said it will be like "moving your couch" to the stadium.
After waiving 2017 third-round pick Derek Rivers and 2019 fourth-round pick Hjalte Froholdt on Saturday, the Patriots might have hoped to bring both back to their practice squad, but that won't be happening. Rivers was claimed on waivers by the Rams on Monday, while Froholdt was claimed by the Texans. With the Rams playing Monday night, their waiver claim of Rivers will officially be processed Tuesday. Both had slid down the depth chart in recent weeks.
The Cowboys held a walkthrough-type practice Monday with the quick turnaround for Thursday's game against the Washington Football Team. Cornerback Anthony Brown (ribs) did not practice and could miss the game. Tight end Blake Bell (back) and kicker Greg Zuerlein (back) were limited. Running back Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring), tackle Brandon Knight (knee) and linebacker Joe Thomas (wrist) would have been full participants.
Joe Judge said rookie safety Xavier McKinney and OLB Oshane Ximines "both have a chance" to play Sunday vs. Cincinnati. Practiced Monday (it was mostly individual drills) off injured reserve.
Dolphins placed versatile starting OL Jesse Davis on the COVID-19/reserve list today. Miami now has two starters on the list — Christian Wilkins and Davis.
Joe Judge won't get into specifics about where it went wrong with Marc Colombo. Mentions several times he's just doing what is in the "best interest of the team." Asked about his relationship with OC Jason Garrett, who is strongly connected to Colombo, Judge says it has not been affected.
Matt LaFleur said the coaches talked today about playing so far off in coverage in 3rd downs and said it has to change. "If you're going to play soft, your underneath coverage cannot be beyond the sticks," he said. But he didn't say whether that's the call or misalignment by the players.
The Lions did not practice Monday but their injury report is long and had they did, there would have been no D'Andre Swift, Da'Shawn Hand or Jeff Okudah. Kenny Golladay and T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) would have been limited.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said of the internal support for MVS: "I don't think there's anybody in that locker room that doesn't have Marquez's back. We wouldn't be in position to win the game without his efforts. … He had one bad play. Like we say to all our guys, it never comes down to one play."
Jermaine Carter learned on Saturday he would get the start over injured middle linebacker Tahir Whitehead (ribs). He played 55 percent of the snaps (31) and had four tackles, one on future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson that stands out the most.
Matt Rhule called the decision to sit QB Teddy Bridgewater on Sunday the "hardest individual decision I've had to make in terms of game day.'' It truly went down to the wire because Bridgewater wanted to play and was cleared medically. As for whether Bridgewater's replacement, P.J. Walker, solidified himself as the clear No. 2 QB, Rhule isn't ready to say.
Matt Rhule has talked about the “process'' that he feels is so important to success since the day the Panthers hired him. The completeness of Sunday's 20-0 victory over Detroit was a glimpse of how he'd like to see the process work consistently in terms of complimentary football. He even called it “a process win.''
Panthers coach Matt Rhule seems more optimistic that QB Teddy Bridgewater (knee) will play Sunday against Minnesota than RB Christian McCaffrey (shoulder). “I would expect Teddy to practice on Wednesday and we'll take it from there. He was cleared to play yesterday, so I would assume he will be ready to go on Wednesday. Christian, we'll take it week to week.''
Marquez Valdes-Scantling speaking the day after yesterday's OT fumble: "I talked to the media after a career game the week before and now at the lowest point." On the threats he received via social media, MVS said: "I wasn't fearful for my life or anything it was just more so to get people to understand we're humans, too, not just some number on a jersey. We're people first. … Social media gives cowards the right to say anything they want without consequences."
Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Monday QB Drew Lock had "no residual effects'' from Sunday's win over Miami after missing some practice time last week with rib injury. Also Fangio said G Graham Glasgow, who didn't finish Sunday's game, has some soreness in his lower leg, but "don't think it's anything serious.''
Remaining strength of schedule rank for NFC East teams, according to FPI: Eagles: 5 Washington: 11 Giants: 22 Cowboys: 26 Despite that, FPI does still consider the Eagles the division favorite at 44%, both because it thinks they are the best of the four teams and because of their half-game lead in the standings.
On plays with 0 pass rush wins -- meaning no defender beat his blocker within 2.5 seconds of the snap -- Carson Wentz has a QBR of 44. Dead last.
Jets stock watch: DOWN — Entire pass defense (Herbert 366 yards), QB Joe Flacco (killer pick-6), PK Sam Ficken (two missed PATs), DL Nathan Shepherd (roughing penalty), RT Chuma Edoga (2 penalties, shaky pass pro); UP — DL Henry Anderson (blocked punt), WR Denzel Mims (season-high 71 yards), LB Jordan Jenkins (team-high 3 run stuffs + half-sack).
